Happy Monday!
We had a nice, relaxing weekend. On Saturday, Kev and I took our older kids to see the new Hunger Games Mockingjay movie.
I really liked it! I’ve never read the books, but my kiddos have. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of the Hunger Games movies. They are so well done and so well cast. I love them!
I also told my kids that sadly, the Hunger Games story offers a great view of history and government. The movie and characters seem so farfetched, but unfortunately things have happened and are happening in the world that closely resemble some of the things that happen in that movie.
Sad, but true.
It seems like the older I get and the more I learn about the world we live in, the more frightened I become to live in it! It’s especially frightening to raise children in such a scary world. BUT, I’ve also learned to be BRAVE and to strive to be a FORCE for GOOD in the world.
I also try to teach my kiddos to be brave, fearless and unwavering….just like Katniss! Sounds cheesy, but as a mother I worry about my kids and the things they’ll have to face in this world. I wish I could protect them from every bad/sad/scary thing that will ever happen to them, but I know I can’t. I also know that experience and challenges are good for them and make them stronger.
I want my kids to be brave, strong, capable and prepared for life!
Thankfully, over the years I’ve realized our family kind of, sort of lives in a bubble. We live in such a great community and are surrounded by so many wonderful people. I am very happy, content and grateful to live in our bubble!
I’ve also learned to embrace my naivete. Ha ha.
Anyway, we had a great weekend and I loved spending time with my sweet family. Here are a couple cute pics I took this weekend…
Oh my word, there is nothing quite like snuggling a sweet, squishy baby!
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Well folks, my healthy efforts had serious issues last week. I have so many goals, ambitions and things I want to accomplish, but lately I’ve felt a little unorganized, unmotivated, sleep deprived and overwhelmed!
Auuuughhh!
Soooo, I decided to STOP, take a deep breath and take a long hard look at my life. I reminded myself that I am NOT wonder woman, but I AM capable and I AM IN CHARGE of my life!
Sooooo, I decided to sit down with one of my notebooks and make myself a plan. I’ve always LOVED notebooks. They are so motivating and therapeutic to me! Whenever I make serious goals or life changes, my notebooks are my best friends…
After the kids go to bed at night, I love to curl up with a notebook and put things into writing. I write goals, ambitions, to-do lists, deep thoughts, menu plans, exercise plans, workouts, etc.
There’s something so empowering about actually writing thoughts and goals down. I love the quote, “A goal not written is merely a wish” and I’ve definitely found that quote to be true in my own life!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought, “I’m going to eat really well” or “I’m going to kill it in the gym this week,” but I don’t actually write it down and PLAN. If I don’t have an “official plan” and actually write my goals down, they fizzle very quickly.
When I write my goals and share them with others, I am so much more committed and ALWAYS have so much more success! In fact, that was the main reason why I started this blog back in 2011…..to be accountable to all y’all!
With that being said, I decided to sit down with one of my beloved notebooks last night and write down some goals. I planned out my exercise schedule for the week and I WILL stick to it! Here’s the schedule I came up with…
Monday: Run 3 miles
Tuesday: Attend a muscle class at the gym!
Wednesday: Rest (or do some cardio if I’m feeling ambitious)
Thursday: Run a 5K Turkey Trot
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Go to the gym and do a total body resistance training workout
Sunday: Always a rest day
I would really like to work out every single day, but I’m trying to “keep it real” and not get too overwhelmed. I definitely plan to kick it up a notch as my life and body allows. But, I am happy to be going back to the gym this week! Eeeee!
I’ve felt so out of shape and frumpy lately, so I haven’t wanted to show my face at the gym. Hee hee. BUT, I decided that was just stupid! I gave myself a swift kick in the butt and decided to buck up and get back there. I seem to push myself so much harder at the gym and always get a great workout in!
I also recommitted to eating CLEAN! I’m staying away from sugar, white flour and processed food. I’m striving to eat lots of veggies, fruits and real foods! I really should write some more specific goals for my eating plan, but for now this will suffice.
I’m also committing to GET MY SLEEP! I’ve been so dang tired lately and I know that’s why I’ve been struggling in the other areas of my life. Soooooo, 11:00 PM is my “lights out” time.
When I get really serious about losing weight, living healthily and accomplishing goals, I also like to write in my notebook each night. I usually write down things like what I ate, how much water I drank, what I did for exercise, if I lost any weight, and my THOUGHTS about my efforts for the day.
It’s so helpful to me!
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Soooo, this morning after I got my kids off to school, I got dressed in my exercise clothes and hopped on the treadmill! I got my 3 miles in and it actually wasn’t too bad. The time went by quickly and I was so glad I stuck with my goals! Woo hoo.
After my run, I made myself a very yummy Strawberry Banana Protein shake!
I had this sample packet of Strawberry protein powder, so I decided to give it a try!
This protein powder isn’t the healthiest out there, but it tasted really good! I’m now on a mission to find a healthier Strawberry protein powder. Oh, and FYI, I put coconut milk, protein powder, frozen strawberries, 1/2 frozen banana, 1/2 Tablespoon chia seeds, a little bit of stevia, spinach and ice in my shake.
Oh, and I recently bought this stevia on Amazon and I love it!
And dang it, I just checked on Amazon and this stevia is currently not available right now! What’s up with that?!?! Hopefully, they’ll get some more in stock soon. I loved that this was just 100% stevia with no added fillers!
This packet of stevia is very small btw. It’s about the size of a small envelope. I only use a tiny amount every time I use it though. I also bought these on Amazon so I could more accurately measure my stevia…
They’ve worked out great. Yes, I’m an official Amazon addict.
Well, I gotta wrap this up so I can stick with my bedtime goal! I will leave you guys with a little bit of motivation…
Have a wonderful night!!!
I have been working on getting adequate sleep every night and drinking plenty of water. Other than that, I’ve hit the fitness doldrums. Since my last running event, it’s been so cold and there’s been a snow floor (and I hate running on a treadmill), it’s been easy for me to blow off the workouts.
But, my husband and I have started organizing our running event calendar for 2015 and have already signed up for two half marathons (there were a couple that advertised discounts for early sign ups), and I’m on my first Sawtooth Relay team (I think I saw that you did that). An event always keeps me motivated to train.
I don’t know how you make it to the gym with a baby. My kiddos were the ones that made the child care workers at the gym try to hide. I was always being pulled out of class for one of them. I finally just gave up until they were older – taking them with me in a stroller when I could.
Oh, I HATE the treadmill too. Yuck. 🙁 I love how you’re planning your running schedule for next year. I ran the Sawtooth Relay twice and loved it! My husband’s brother has organized a Sawtooth team 6 or 7 times and always makes it a big family affair. It’s a lot of fun!
It’s tough to go to the gym with my kiddos. My oldest son used to be the “gym daycare bully,” lol. Thankfully, my little kiddos haven’t minded going to the gym too much and they are pretty mellow kids. I really don’t want to take the baby there though, so I’m grateful for my big kids who can help watch him at home!
I love this post full of motivation and advice for setting goals, especially writing them down so they’re more real instead of just “wishes.”
That’s a good social studies lesson from the Hunger Games. They should use it in school to keep kids’ interest better!
I think it’s a blessing to live in a bubble, but you and your hubby deserve credit for forming it around your kids. Unfortunately not all parents take their responsibility to heart in working to keep their children in safe homes and neighborhoods. Creating those bubbles takes a lot of effort and commitment!
You are so sweet. I never thought about how “living in a bubble” would take effort and commitment, but I think you’re right. I feel so grateful every day for the community we live in!
I liked the movie a lot, but felt it was a bit long, maybe they could have made it a bit shorter. Or that could have just been because I really had to use the restroom the last 30 minutes.
My daughter said she thought the movie dragged on a bit too, but she had read the book. I’m really not a fan of how movie makers split the last book into two movies. I would much rather they just make one 3 hour flick instead of stretching it out!
I have a notebook of goals too. I find it so helpful in reaching new horizons. I am notorious for squeezing squishy babies. I can’t help it! They’re so cute. My niece is 8 now, but she still remembers “when I was a baby Aunty used to squeeze my cheeks.”
Oh, what a nice Aunty you are! That is so darling that she still remembers you squishing her. I love it!
Oh my gosh! I can totally relate to feeling scared by all thei bad in the world. I feel lucky that even though I live in a big city, I always feel safe and secure. I definitely want my child to feel safe and sound as well.
I’m amazed at how safe NYC seems to me as well! I always feel safe there. 😉 LOVE that city so so much!!!!
I’m one of those people who prefers living in my “happy” place – especially when it comes to the “bad” stuff all around. When Chris deploys I ignore all news even more than normal – it is part of what keeps me sane!!!
I can totally relate to all you are saying here – I might try your idea of writing everything down – maybe that will help me get on track!!!
I like to ignore the news too. It always makes me feel so helpless! Writing things down has always been very therapeutic for me though!
Hi Mel! I absolutely LOVE your blog! I just found it and I am in love with it! I love how I feel like you are talking directly to me! I have a health and wellness blog as well and I am striving to give such valuable content to my readers like you! The name of my blog is http://www.MelindaTurnerYoung.com . This blog post really hit home for me. I love how you journal, how you held yourself accountable with your weekly goals by sharing them with the world, how you recommitted yourself to going to the gym and eating clean and just how much you love your family. I am truly in awe that you have the time to do everything you do and take care of your 6 children and your husband. You may not be super woman but you are mighty close in my book!!!!
Oh, thanks so much Melinda! You are so sweet. I will definitely check out your blog as well. 😉